1:35 Sd.Kfz. 251 & 11 - Front Wheels (Fulda)

What the set is good for

The front wheels of half-track vehicles are more conspicuous on a model than they seem. They stand at the front, nothing covers them and the viewer looks at them from the side and from above. That is exactly why it pays to replace them with a part of more mature shape: the set brings a pair of steered wheels for the Sd.Kfz. 251 and for the Sd.Kfz. 11, that is for two machines that had the same front axle.

What the tread pattern means

The Fulda marking in the name refers to the tread pattern that the wheel carries. Tires of the period differed by supplier, so a modeler building from a particular photograph can reach for the variant that matches the subject. Anyone not tied to a subject at least gets a consistent and legible pattern on both wheels.

Building and painting tips

• Wash and degrease the parts before painting, otherwise the paint holds badly on the smooth surface.
• Cut the excess material away with a sharp blade a little way from the part and sand the remainder flat.
• Super glue is a reliable choice for add-on wheels, as the joint area is small and has to hold firm.
• Try fitting the wheels dry before you reach for the glue, and check the wheel track and that they stand square.
• Do not paint the rubber pure black; dark gray with a hint of brown looks more believable at this scale.
• Attach the wheels only after the chassis has been painted, as it is harder to reach them afterward.

Terms of supply

This is an add-on wheel set. The vehicle kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.